Umar Nurmagomedov breaks silence on former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili striking his friend in Georgia | MMA News
Umar Nurmagomedov has spoken about the recent incident involving his friend Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov and ex-UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in Georgia. Nurmagomedov questioned how Dvalishvili could justify slapping his friend after Gadzhimagomedov asked him a question about a potential fight with the Russian fighter.The incident happened at a Real American Freestyle event in Georgia in July 2026. Gadzhimagomedov approached Dvalishvili after asking about a possible rematch with Nurmagomedov. The situation then escalated. Dvalishvili appeared to slap Gadzhimagomedov before security stepped in. The incident has added another chapter to the tense relationship between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov.
Umar Nurmagomedov questions Merab Dvalishvili after his infamous Georgia altercation
Umar Nurmagomedov has defended Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov and insisted that his friend did not approach Merab Dvalishvili with the intention of insulting him. According to Nurmagomedov, the interaction began with a simple question about his potential matchup with the ex-UFC champion. He then also asked him about his harsh remarks about Nurmagomedov.The Russian contender questioned why Dvalishvili reacted physically to the situation. He also suggested that he could not imagine behaving in a similar way if their positions were reversed. Nurmagomedov pointed to the cultural setting of the incident and asked how someone could feel comfortable with such an action afterward.The comments come amid a rivalry that has already produced one of the biggest fights of Nurmagomedov’s UFC career. The two fighters met at UFC 311 in January 2025, with Dvalishvili winning by unanimous decision to retain the UFC bantamweight championship.Their rivalry has remained heated since then. Dvalishvili has repeatedly criticised Nurmagomedov and has used strong language when discussing his former challenger. He has previously described Nurmagomedov as a “spoiled baby” and made it clear that he has little personal respect for his rival.Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, has continued his own UFC career. He currently has a professional record of 20 wins and one loss. His only defeat came against Dvalishvili.After that setback, Nurmagomedov returned to winning ways against Mario Bautista. He then defeated former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026.The victory helped Nurmagomedov move forward after losing his first UFC title opportunity. He is now preparing for another important bout in bantamweight.Nurmagomedov is scheduled to face Song Yadong. The fight will be the main event of UFC Fight Night on August 29, 2026. The event will take place at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China.For now, however, the Georgia incident has once again brought attention to his rivalry with Dvalishvili. Nurmagomedov has made it clear that he believes his friend was treated unfairly and that the confrontation should never have become physical.Nurmagomedov is gearing up for a bout vs Song. Dvalishvili is continuing his reign at the top level of the division at No1 after losing his title. Another meeting between the two remains possible. If it happens, the latest incident could add even more tension to an already bitter rivalry.
